Official Kayaking/Canoeing Thread

7 boats and 7 dirtbag paddlers in one access cab. It can be done. Probably shouldn't though.

 

you can do anything with enough straps!

 

sub'd

 

I have an AC cab and was thinking about the same hauling setup. Pretty stable?

 

redid the rack setup for the new 12 footers got them up off the deck of the trailer, so there's room for gear under them, and then the paddle boards fit between the kayaks, down the center of the a-frames. curved lower supports make it nice and easy for a single person to roll a heavy kayak up onto the rack. all that's left is some quick fists for the paddles, and some sort of rod holder.







good view of where the paddle boards will sit


my favorite part about the rack is that by removing 4 bolts the entire thing comes off (light enough for one person to lift), so you can still use the trailer for hauling larger items

 

My wife and I went out this morning. Beautiful morning to start off the summer.


Here are a few pictures of a PVC rack that I made with some PVC pipe and fittings I had laying around. There are some things I can improve, but it works for now.

 

More info on this trailer?

 

That's awesome!

 

Thanks.

 

what kind of info are you looking for?

 

Homemade? Did you design it or follow plans? I don't want to steal your plans if that's the case, but dimensions maybe?

 

it started life as a 4'x8' harbor freight trailer about 6 years ago. other than the deck structure itself there is no longer and harbor freight trailer left.

I tore off the tongue and rebuilt a much stronger one. frame was reinforced, and I tore out the leaf spring suspension and made a coil spring, 4-link setup for it. also built a much stronger axle with 6 lug hubs so I can run Toyota wheels on it.

original concept


bone stock trailer with the start to the enclosure.



new axle and enclosure, but the trailer and suspension still untouched.


after the first wheeling trip, it was easy to see that the entire frame needed replacing or reinforcement


hated the leaf springs when I was wheeling. especially at higher speeds, so coil springs and links it was

links for a dual triangulated setup


same axle I had build prior, but with tabs for the links and mounts for the coil spring collars


threaded collars for the coil springs


done, with the exception of shocks


shocks installed. it rides smother than my truck now.


also added some kickouts to push the trailer around obstacles on tighter corners.


rolled with it like this for a few years, upgrading to some 33'' MTs and FJ-Cruiser wheels along the way.


it was only recently (when my wife and I got new kayaks), that I tore the shell off, redid the deck, and added some bigger fenders, to shield the kayaks from spray.




experimented with a couple rack designs, before settling on the angled kayaks, with paddle board space down the center, and general storage underneath.
empty, the trailer is easily moved around by hand, but once it's loaded with the kayaks and other gear, it's a lot more difficult to man-handle. easiest solution was to weld a hitch onto the tractor. to move the thing around the yard and driveway.


so that was the very very long way to answer your question.

the shorter answers are:
-started out as a harbor freight trailer
-essentially all custom at this point
-deck is still 4'x8', with an overall length of about 12 feet

 

Well.... So if you were to do it again? Find a 4x8 with heavier axle, add some better springs/coils, then put the rack on?

The thing that grabbed my eye is we have 2 kayaks and 1 solo canoe. I believe your idea would hold all 3 if the canoe was placed on the middle supports where you have the Dakine pad. Outstanding work by you. Might steal some ideas down the road. Will give you any royalties earned.

 

if I were to do it again, I'd just start from the ground up and build a trailer from scratch, but if you are limited by the tools at your disposal, then yes, a heavier duty 4x8 would be the way to go. if you aren't going to off road with it, and really only intend to use the trailer with kayaks/canoes, the frame of a harbor freight trailer will hold up just fine. the only thing I would still replace/upgrade are the axle, wheels, and tires. even the stock springs on that trailer are plenty sufficient for some kayaks and gear.

I only bent up the factory tongue and frame because I started pulling the trailer through things like this

 

Finally received our new canoe. Very stoked to have it and can't wait to get out onto the lake with it.

 

that is some sexy woodwork!

 

Wow, I never thought a canoe could give me a boner

 

@G.T. Yeah...That canoe is beautiful.

 

I agree with you all, just staring at it blows me away. Can't wait to get it wet.

 

What a beautiful canoe!!!